South Alabama transfer LB Khalil Jacobs shares seven schools in contact

Khalil Jacobs flirted with the transfer portal in January.

Shortly after South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack took the defensive coordinator job at Alabama, the linebacker hit college football’s free agency to explore his options. He picked up an offer from the Crimson Tide but ultimately decided to withdraw.

Jacobs is now back in the portal. He told On3’s Hayes Fawcett and Pete Nakos that Alabama, Auburn, Duke, Indiana, Missouri, NC State and Tulane all reached since he officially entered on Friday morning. Linebacker has been a major position of need for programs in the spring portal window.

“I’m looking for a positive environment I can thrive in,” he told On3. “I’m dominant on the field, and I want to be a part of a system that will allow me to do so.”

Jacobs is eyeing a visit to Alabama next weekend, he said. The Tide have a loaded linebacker room, headlined by Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell. The duo combined for 133 tackles in 2023. Jacobs has two years of eligibility remaining and has played in 24 career games. He registered 56 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and three forced fumbles in the 2023 season. According to On3’s BamaOnline, he’s also eyeing a visit to Tuscaloosa this weekend.

Missouri has been in the market for a linebacker in this 15-day portal window. The Tigers are currently hosting former Michigan transfer and Charlotte linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, who is scheduled to commit on Sunday. He’s also considering Colorado; the 6-foot-2, 232-pound grad transfer tallied 73 tackles last season.

Auburn has picked up some key pieces on the defensive side of the ball in the portal. The Tigers have added defensive linemen Philip Blidi and Isaiah Raikes along with EDGE Keyron Crawford since the spring window opened.

NC State could also be an interesting spot to watch. The Wolfpack lost linebacker Payton Wilson to the NFL draft. He’s expected to go off the board Friday night after winning the Chuck Bednarik and Butkus awards in 2023. Wilson finished the season with 138 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions.

With Alabama expressing interest in Khalil Jacobs again, a potential reunion with his former head coach could be on the horizon.